Home Decore – Design your Home better with Sputnik Design's Guidehttp://sputnik-design.net
Home design, what else!Mon, 19 Mar 2018 07:50:33 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4Essential Maintenance Tasks to Prepare Your Home for the Spring Seasonhttp://sputnik-design.net/essential-maintenance-tasks-to-prepare-your-home-for-the-spring-season/
Wed, 14 Mar 2018 05:14:27 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2609After a long cold winter, get ready for the warmth and sunshine. Spring is fast approaching. Prepare your home for the spring season. Take care of the exterior and interior parts of your home. Check these simple tips to welcome the beautiful warm season.

Clean your home

The interiors of the house need a thorough cleaning during spring. Clean your windows and ceiling fans. Do proper dusting of all the window sills and upholstery. Also clean your fireplaces which would have been used over those long winters. Clean the screens of the windows. Use a handy vacuum cleaner to get rid of the cob webs and use a garden hose to clean it with water. Allow it to dry before installing it back on the windows.

Furnish your patio

If you have a nice patio or balcony, you are lucky enough to spend that beautiful season relaxing outdoors. Make maximum use of these spaces by furnishing them with nice furniture. This way you can enjoy the outdoors. Make sure you choose the right furniture for the patio. Do not select oversized furniture which would clutter the space. Have plants in the balcony. If you have less space, try out vertical plantation.

One important aspect many homeowners tend to overlook is the usage of fans in the patio. Remember that you should install a fan specifically designed for outdoor weather conditions. There are different types of outdoor fans available but the two major categories are wet rated and damp rated fans. If you are installing a ceiling fan in a pergola location, your exterior fan may get wet from rainfall and will require a wet rated ceiling fan. These are sealed properly to withstand the rain water falling directly on them.

Remove those heavy rugs

Rugs are not necessary for those warm months. Take out all the carpets and rugs. It’s best to keep the floor bare, but if at all you’d like to have something on the floor, opt for lighter carpets. With all the natural light coming in, all the stains and marks will be visible. Clean all the carpets and rugs; you can either do it yourself or make use of rug cleaning services.

Look after your garden

Spring is the time to take care of your garden. Get those garden hoses and equipment fixed and ready. Clean the dry leaves and debris with a rake and plan for a nice garden. Wash those pavement areas which might have got dirty due to ice and snow. Start planning for a good lawn. Remove all the unwanted weeds from the garden. Use a good herbicide to get rid of these weeds. Use a nice fertilizer to your lawn. This would help the growth of existing grass on the lawn.

Prep your HVAC system

It’s time to review your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units. Ensure that the air filters are cleaned or replace them with new ones. Service the air conditioning equipment. Check if it is in working condition as you’ll need air conditioning machine during this season. Check for damages in wiring and compressor tubes. Clean it up properly, especially if it was not used in winter.

Fix the cracks

Fix the cracks that have appeared in your pathway or patio. You could have seen cracks during winters. This is the best season to fix those cracks. It will reduce your maintenance task and payments after the spring rain. Make sure the patios and pathways have enough slopes which will not allow the water to pool up near the foundations. Check for cracks in the foundation areas and external walls. If you find any issues, contact your contractor to get them fixed.

Just like the cracks on the walls, check for gaps in windows. These gaps can let water in. Repair these windows and also check for wooden sills for decay.

Clear the gutter

Take a ladder and check for any debris in the gutter. If the winters were very strong then you would have faced heavy snow and storm that would have brought down tree limbs from the yard. This is the time to check for the debris and clean them up. You can use the garden hose to remove the extra dirt with water.

Move away the winter junk

Move away the junk and firewood that you have collected in the winter. This allows breeding of mosquitoes and other bugs. The ice that would start melting near the wood logs etc. would dampen the area and make it a breeding haven for bugs. Clear them right away and keep the area clean.

Check the pool

One important task would be to check the pool. Remove the cover and do a quick assessment of water levels. Make sure that the pump is in working condition. If required, get a professional to check the working of the pool.

Inspect the kids play area

Inspect the outdoor play equipment. With the onset of sunshine, children would love to try out games outdoors. Make sure there are no damages to slides and other equipment. Check the chains and ropes on the swings. With the heavy snow, the metal surfaces might have got rusted. Ensure that the surface below the slides and swings are dry and safe.

It’s also important to review the safety of your home. Check if the fire alarms are working; have the alarm batteries replaced if required. Make sure the electrical wiring is good and electrical fittings like fans and lights are in good working condition.

]]>Updating Your Interior Home Designhttp://sputnik-design.net/updating-your-interior-home-design/
Sun, 11 Mar 2018 08:04:12 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2621If you’re thinking of updating the interior look of your home, one component that can make a huge difference is curtains. Curtains come in a variety of patterns, colours, and styles that can be paired with any interior design.

What Are the Different Styles of Curtains?

Curtains come in a variety of styles so you’re sure to find something to complement your design ideas:

Picking a style can be difficult and may depend on what purpose the curtains serve. Panel curtains come in two options: single-panel and double-panel. Double-panel is one of the most common styles in a home and consists of two panels of curtains hanging next to each other. Each panel can be moved to opposite sides of the window to filter light. Usually, lighter curtains are used for this. On the other hand, single-panel curtains consist of one panel to cover the entire window. To open the curtain, usually the panel is pushed off to one side. This allows even more of a possibility of light to be let in.

Valances are short curtains that do not serve the purpose of blocking out plenty of light or offering privacy. Instead, they are typically decorative pieces and work to hide the hardware. In addition, your windows won’t look bare if you choose not to hang a curtain on the windows in your kitchen or bathroom.

Stacked curtains offer a layered look, usually with one heavier and one lighter curtain. The heavier curtain blocks out more light and can be manipulated depending on how bright you want the room. They also offer additional privacy and darkness at night.

Cafe curtains provide great privacy and lighting for kitchens and bathrooms. They come halfway down the window, leaving the top half open for light and the bottom half closed to keep people from seeing in. They are usually light curtains, allowing natural light to flow in. These look great with a valance at the top of the window.

]]>Interior Decoration and Professional Painting Serviceshttp://sputnik-design.net/interior-decoration-and-professional-painting-services/
Sat, 10 Mar 2018 07:32:28 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2618The quality of your interior painting or decoration will determine how your home appears to you and any guests who you may have over so you want it to look professional.

This can be difficult to achieve without the right equipment, expertise, and material but you can find contractors who specialise specifically in this area. When you tackle interior decoration jobs on your own or hire an unqualified company, the outcome may be undesirable and even force you to start over.

For having the job completed right the first time and having the interior of your home look how you want it, hire a professional for the job.

Available Services

Interior enhancements and decoration services may extend to several areas and professionals have a wide skill set to ensure the completion of interior projects.

A high-quality mural or wallpaper can transform the room in several ways.

Part of this begins with quality material as well as professional installation, both of which can be supplied by your professional wall covering specialists.

Paper wall coverings need to be properly primed and prepped, which ensures the quality and longevity or your wallpaper. Otherwise, you risk wasting material or looking at a flawed wall on a daily basis.

]]>Art of the Homehttp://sputnik-design.net/art-of-the-home/
Sat, 03 Mar 2018 09:50:48 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2576There are a countless number of sayings summing up how vital our homes to us, topping the list of things of utmost importance, alongside friends and family. Adages such as: “Home is where the heart is,” “An Englishman’s home is his castle,” “A home away from home,” and a raft of other aphorisms impress upon us how the home takes front and centre of our focus. Even as children, we often draw an idealised version of a house; complete with picket fences, four sash windows and smoke gently curling from a chimney.

Stay At Home Statement

Everyone loves to get home, kick off your shoes and melt into the embrace of a comfy sofa; home should be a sanctuary, but it can also equal many other things. Some of us just use our homes as a place to crash, either out on the sofa before the TV to indulge in a box set binge; or as a forever home where a married couple settles down to build a family in a perfect home to settle into, growing old and grey together. As the needs of house differ, so does the wish to design a house’s interior to suit the varied tastes of the varied people who live in houses.

A Palette in your Postcode

Strong colours, minimalist lines and shapes, maybe a taste for the vintage? Perhaps you are the kind of person that has a feature wall? Or are you the type that covers your house’s walls with framed pictures or rows of bookshelves lining the walls, or even one with a penchant for making a statement? Designing a living space is a meticulous process of making every area of a house match your tastes. Thinking of a living room depends on what your mind’s eye evokes; which could result in thinking up a stately stylised drawing room of leather armchairs. Alternatively, it could be a retreat of warm colours that lets you snuggle up with a room perfectly tailored withinterior design in Tunbridge Wells.

Home Comforts

Lounge away the days in your perfect fitted living room, or to stun guests with an elegantly chic dining room, or turn a man cave into a study worthy of a high-flying city banker. Or do you fancy a total revamp of the kitchen, often viewed as the heart of the home? Style the kitchen with some high tech, minimalist units that celebrate the art of true culinary function or go the entirely opposite way, creating a space that resembles the perfect rustic area that captures the homely delights of traditional kitchens blended effortlessly with modern technology, then all of this can be yours.

Place your trust into the hands of experts who are just as invested in creating your house as a perfect fit for you as you are; alongside designers and collections selected in such a way that they appear to know what you want from your home’s decor better than you do!

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Tips for Taking Care of a Timber Floorhttp://sputnik-design.net/tips-for-taking-care-of-a-timber-floor/
Fri, 02 Mar 2018 07:27:39 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2539If you’ve only recently had a new timber floor installed in your home, then you’ll want to know the best way of maintaining your new investment. Timber floors are very popular amongst Perth homeowners for good reason, they look great once fitted, they are easy to keep clean, and they make your home feel warmer.

Here are some tips to help you maintain your timber flooring.

What are the main reasons to clean timber floors?

Like most objects in your home, timber floors require attention from time to time, that means doing some things to ensure the product continues to look good, increasing its longevity. Although it is very easy to keep timber floors clean and visually appealing, there are still some things you must consider.

Don’t allow too much moisture to penetrate the material.

Don’t allow too much dirt to accumulate on the timber.

Avoid pushing or dragging heaving furniture around the room, if you want to relocate household objects make sure you lift them off the floor before moving. If you don’t lift, you’ll end up scratching the timber. You should also consider attaching protective padding to the legs of your furniture to avoid damaging the floor.

Add an Extra Layer of Protection

Most timber floors benefit from being polished using a solvent or water-based solution, a lot of homeowners in Perth are now choosing to use water-based options as opposed to strong solvents. Although solvents do keep your floor clean, the amount of toxins which are added to the compound make them highly toxic. They are also bad for the environment when discarded, water-based solutions are eco-friendly because they contain far less chemicals. You can also opt for wax and give your timber floors a great finish.

Professional Advice

If you are moving into a new home and you require aspecialist who deals in flooring in Perth, there are plenty of first-class installation services you can contact to discuss your options. Once the timber flooring has been fitted, get recommendations on maintenance off someone who really knows what they are talking about. Certain woods require certain types of maintenance, so it is advisable to consult with a knowledgeable flooring expert.

Sweeping Brush, Vacuum & Mop

It is vital that you regularly sweep or vacuum away debris and dust that builds up on your floors, if left untreated, they can damage the wood. It is better to use a soft bristled broom to ensure you don’t scratch the timber, this is also important when vacuuming. The head of the vacuum should be soft to avoid any damage. You can mop polyurethane floors as long you don’t use too much water.

It is vital that you take some time to maintain a new timber floor, once properly treated they can last for years and they look incredible in your home. They increase the value of your property, making it far more appeal if you ever decide to put your home on the market. These simple tips will help you to keep your floor looking as good as new.

]]>Why You Need a Professional Gardenerhttp://sputnik-design.net/why-you-need-a-professional-gardener/
Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:45:26 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2517Gardening seems easy, but in truth, if you want a great looking exterior at your home, you will need to hire an expert to help you. If you don’t know what you are doing, it is likely that your garden will look pieced together, nothing matches, or goes together, and your bushes will quickly become overgrown. Getting help is the best way to make sure you have a yard and garden that will make your neighbours envious.

Services to Expect

Knowing what kind of services you can expect from your yard care company is smart, as you can make sure they will be able to meet your needs upfront. While services will vary from one company to another, most will offer the following:

Pruning

Preparation for planting in the spring

Weed control in the yard and in gardens

Grass and hedge cutting

Mowing

Regular maintenance throughout the year

Start Fresh

If your garden is out of control, you may actually benefit from a complete garden overhaul. This is when an expert team comes to your home, walks your property with you and discusses the work you want done, and then gives you a quote on what the services will cost. If you are looking for a bespoke landscape that looks amazing, then this service will definitely benefit you. When you work with a company that provides the best garden overhaul in Chobham, you will end up with the garden of your dreams.

You don’t have to suffer through another spring or summer with a dismal garden when you contact an expert for help. They can work quickly to ensure that you have an amazing outdoor area you’ll love for many years to come.

]]>It May Be Time to Update Your Home’s Décorhttp://sputnik-design.net/it-may-be-time-to-update-your-homes-decor/
Sun, 11 Feb 2018 11:02:57 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2499If you have lived in your home for awhile or recently moved, you may not be happy with the appearance of your rooms, flooring, and cabinets. While many people dream of a complete overhaul of their decorating and painting, there are few homeowners who are educated and qualified enough to do a great job on this work. If you are interested in updating your home, then it’s important that you hire an expert to complete the work for you.

Revamp Your Home

The design of your home affects the comfort level that people feel when they come to visit you. If you have never thought about hiring qualified painters and decorators in Dundee, then you may be surprised to learn about all of the different services they offer, including:

Lighting changes

Wall updating with paint or wallpaper

Flooring

Back splashes in the kitchen and bathrooms

Coordinate Colours

It’s important for your home to look its best and that the colours that you choose all match and coordinate. This is a great way to ensure that there is a flow throughout your home and that your rooms do not feel chopped up and small. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to choose colours correctly, resulting in a space that does not look as good as it could.

If you want to update your home and ensure that it looks fresh, new, and matches your personality and style, then hiring an expert decorator is a smart move. They are the only ones who can ensure that your space looks its absolute best.

]]>All You Need to Know about Wall Decorationshttp://sputnik-design.net/all-you-need-to-know-about-wall-decorations/
Tue, 23 Jan 2018 12:47:02 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2335Have you ever entered a room with unique wall decorations? Most probably, you have. A house with unique decorations possesses a unique kind of serene aura that comes upon someone once he or she steps in such a house. Wall décor is any form of artistic decoration made on walls of a buildings, offices, and homes. The decorations make the home or the office look splendid in appearance. Often the wall décor speaks volumes about the homeowner to their visitors.

It is important to note that the wall decorations have a particular purpose to serve. The artwork includes photos, images, texts and any other that may complement the beauty of your home. The wall decorations are not similar. You can design the wall art decor on a different platform and later hang it on the wall while in some instances; you can have someone design them directly on the wall.

Below are different wall decors that can transform the rooms in your home.

Wall Hangings

Wall Hangings are beautiful artwork that you can hang on the wall. They come in different designs and shapes. They also come in various customized sizes. In most cases, the subject matter of the wall hangings is human images, animal, and objects. Moreover, some bear scenic images such as mountains, falls, caves and other more. Wall hanging is among the cheapest wall decorations you can access online.

Oil Paintings

Oil painting is an excellent form of wall décor. A few decades ago, in ancient Roman and Egyptian civilization, oil painting was the only type of wall décor available. People used oil paintings for all of their wall art needs. However, people still use it up to date. Together with some other materials, oil paint creates stunning images and decorations. In many homes and offices, the oil paintings appear on the wall. The paint blends with different wall colors. In addition, when there is light, the ornament glows amazingly.

Tapestries

Tapestries are delightful wall décor options. These tapestries décor often display past events. An example of Tapestries décor is the famous Bayeux Tapestry that depicts the Norman conquest of England. Typically, the artist uses unique fabric materials when designing Tapestries. You can hung these wall decors on the wall giving the room a classic and somber feeling.

Canvas Art

The word canvas refers to heavy textile fabric material used in creating all forms of artwork. Occasionally, the canvas art seems like a replica of the artwork of renowned old artists. For example, the work of the great Dutch artist, Van Gogh who died a long time ago still exists, and people reproduce it on canvas platforms. Today, artists produce diverse kind of creative canvas artworks bearing images such as flowers, objects, sceneries and many more.

Vinyl wall décor

Vinyl décor is the hottest wall décor today. It is the fastest as well as the easiest way to embellish your house without going over your budget. The Vinyl wall décor involves a pre-spaced computer cut sticker that you can apply to the wall easily. You only require sticking it on the wall with a backing tape on the graphics and rubbing it down. After two minutes, you peel the backing tape off. The most amazing fact about the Vinyl wall art is that it fits almost every surface. You just need a hard, clean surface and it is going to give you a fantastic look. Some people get nervous about this decor since it sticks to the wall, you do not have to, and you can easily erase the paint. You can remove it without damaging your drywall. If you live in a rental, this is the perfect wall décor for you. This is because this wall decor will not stress you when moving out. All you have to do is just erase it.

In conclusion, having a wall decoration is an amazing way to display your artistic flare. However, it does not have to be as expensive as people perceive it. All the above wall decors are affordable and can transform your house into a paradise you want. Never shy off from decorating your wall since people say it is difficult or expensive.

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The Right Decorator Will Produce Extraordinary Results Every Timehttp://sputnik-design.net/the-right-decorator-will-produce-extraordinary-results-every-time/
Wed, 17 Jan 2018 17:55:10 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2286When you are redecorating your home or decorating a new one, it is good to know that professional designers are there to help. After all, it’s one thing to think up a design in your head but it’s completely different to try and figure out how to produce these results on your own. Not everyone has a sense of style and colour the way that professional decorators do and you can count on them every time to make your home look spectacular.

Regardless of the size, type, or current design of the facility that you need decorated, professional decorators will combine the right colours, themes, and fixtures to produce a result that is stunning. Whether you want something in basic black and white or prefer bright colours throughout, they will make sure that it all comes together as it should so that in the end, the room has a look that you will be proud to show off to others.

Working Closely with All Clients

Professional decorators work closely with their clients so that your personal preferences and tastes are taken into consideration. Even if you are unsure how you want the final design to look, they can make suggestions that will help you decide. They can add the right furniture, window treatments, and flooring so that it all comes together when they’re done, ensuring that you will have a one-of-a-kind design that you’ll always cherish.

]]>Use of Counter Tops to Enhance the Beauty of Kitchen Roomhttp://sputnik-design.net/use-of-counter-tops-to-enhance-the-beauty-of-kitchen-room/
Fri, 05 Jan 2018 09:19:06 +0000http://sputnik-design.net/?p=2250In the present days, the remodelers and the developers are quite interested in installing the countertops in the kitchen or in the bathroom. Among various types of counter top products available in the market, most of the people do like to use the granite tops. There are various reasons why homeowners use the granite tops in the bathroom or in the kitchen. They are durable and simple in look. They give an aesthetic value to the room with enhancing the beauty. You can surely invest on the granite tops.

As I told before, granite is one of the great materials to use as the countertop. It is durable than any other type of in the kitchen or in the bathroom. The color variants available are the dark brown, green, red, blue stones available. The durability and the flexibility of this item are much more as compared to other varieties available in the market. There are various color variants of this stone. You can choose the one that you like and even other darker shades. You can go through the link http://houseturnedhome.com/2017/11/30/top-reasons-why-you-should-install-granite-countertops-for-beauty-kitchen-and-bathroom/ to more about the granite tops. There are various reasons why you will choose the granite tops, they are-

1. Durability & aesthetic value

When you are using the granite tops, you can save for many years as they are highly durable and these kitchen tops provide an aesthetic value to the room. If you clean the tops, the surface of the counter top shines more. But, it is better to avoid using oven cleaner on kitchen countertops. The oven cleaner totally discolour the countertop. This stone can withstand huge strength, warmth and pressure to the area. Thus, it is durable too.

2. Clean and natural look

When you are using the granite tops, you can easily clean it and provides a natural look at the kitchen or the bathroom. Granite stone is famous for the capacity to resist microbes and other unhygienic matter. If you want to maintain a hygiene environment in the kitchen or in the bathroom, you can use the granite stone as the counter top.

3. Resistant and affordable

It is true that the granite tops are resistant and they are cost effective too. As I discussed earlier that the granite counter tops do not get affected by the microbial infections and other unhygienic agents. They are long-lasting. One of the most important features of using the granite tops is that they are reasonable. As this stone does not require any further repairs and cleaning, they last long.

If you want to clean the kitchen tops, you can kindly go through this post http://houseturnedhome.com/2017/12/10/using-oven-cleaner-on-kitchen-countertops/. The oven cleaners contain harsh materials that literally damage the tops. The tops should be cleaned with the soft cloth. The oven cleaner removes the original texture of the stone and slowly the color changes day by day. The counter tops get stained and it may be in a permanent manner. Thus, when you want to clean the counter top, you can just use the washing liquid.